Costa Rica: An Adventure Playground

Consistently recognized for its ecotourism, Costa Rica is one of the best destinations for adventure lovers. Snuggled between the Caribbean and the Pacific Ocean, this Central American country might be small, but it’s packed full of natural beauty and is an adventure playground for any adventurist out there. Here’s why you need to visit Costa Rica.

Zipline through a cloud forest

Costa Rica is for its zip lining and bridges high above the canopy. Zoom through the rainforest and low hanging clouds to see the countryside in a different way and get a thrill while you’re doing it. While there are multiple places to zip line, the best is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve where an afternoon has you flying through the rainforest on multiple lines up to 1km long.

Wildlife at your doorstep

There’s over 600 species of birds in Costa Rica as well as a variety of other extraordinary wildlife from sloths and coati to jaguars. Hike through jungles and rainforests in one of the 28 national parks, looking up to witness packs of howler monkeys jumping from tree to tree in an energetic pursuit. Don’t forget to look out for sloths too. If you’re lucky, you’ll see one up close and personal as it slowly crosses over the trail.

The wildlife isn’t just limited to the land either. Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast is known for its whale watching, with humpback whales off the coast from July to April. If you’d rather see turtles and hatchlings, there’s opportunities to get involved with turtle conservation on both coasts, particularly in the  Osa and Nicoya Peninsulas. 

Embark on an exhilarating white-water rafting adventure

There’s at least six different rivers in Costa Rica suitable for white-water rafting, so you’ve got plenty of options in terms of location and difficulty. As a general rule the higher up you are the wilder the river. Similarly, the rainy season runs from May to November, so water will be higher and the rafting better in this period. There are gentle runs to be had on the Balsa River near Arunal  leading up to at least 4 rivers with grade 4 rapids. Check out the Pacuare River in the Talamanca Mountains, one of the most popular rafting destinations in the world. 

Go canyoning

Head to La Fortuna for an adrenaline rush with a day’s canyoning. These tours involve hiking through the rainforest in pursuit of the waterfalls. You’ll jump, abseil or scramble down with a professional and knowledgeable guide in this exciting Costa Rican adventure. One for the adventure lovers!

Surf the days away

Whether you’re a newbie or seasoned surfer, Costa Rica offers exciting surf spots all around the country. Visit Playa Cocles in Puerto Viejo for chilled-out beach vibes, slacklining, and professional surf lessons. Venture over to Playa Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast for great waves year-round and a long stretch of white sand.

Practice yoga

If you’re looking to slow the pace, practice yoga in some of the world’s most biodiverse and beautiful scenery. Costa Rica has a number of excellent yoga retreats so you can relax, meditate, and practice among immense natural beauty. A perfect way to ease those aching muscles.